10 years ago, my father was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. In January of 1998, he underwent brain surgery at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. The Chief Neurosurgeon opened his head, took a sample of the tumor, and closed him up. He said the tumor was inoperable, and that Dad would live between 6 weeks and 6 months. When he was still in the hospital recovering, Pops said to me, "Take me somewhere else."
I got on the internet, and found a hospital where the doctors were on the leading edge of brain tumor surgical techniques. A month later Dad underwent a second operation at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This time, the doctor there operated on Dad with technique that they had just begun using, and he was able to remove 98% of the tumor. The doctors there were optimistic about Pop's chances, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect that he would survive as long as he has.
At the time Dad underwent surgery, life expectancies for his type of tumor were limited to a few years at best. The doctors at M.D. Anderson are still treating him, and have given him the nickname "Miracle Man." Although his mobility and ability to communicate are limited because of the effects of the radiation therapy (an effect on the brain called Radiation Dementia that was unknown at the time) he is still alive and kicking. For a few years he was able to do pretty much anything he wanted (within limits) and really enjoyed being my pit help at the races, or scouring the local swap meets. Unfortunately, he's gotten weaker over the years and can't get out like he used to.
Although he can't drive and must use a walker or wheelchair to get around, he still likes to get out with me and "help" work on bikes or cars when he's up to it. Sometimes we just go ride around in the country and look for old cars. For a few years we would scour the backwoods of Oklahoma looking for the place where the guy he sold his first car (a Model A coupe with a 283/3 speed) to lived. Those days are few and far between anymore because of his weakness, and we never did find it.
Dad's 65th birthday is coming up on February 12th, and the 10th anniversary of his surgery is the 10th. My mom has put out an email to all her contacts, and sent word to all Dad's friends in the hope that he will get 65 birthday cards by his birthday. Dad really loves it when I bring him car, bike, or 4WD magazines, and I though I'd ask for help making his 65th B-day something extra special. If you want to participate, send him a card, a pic of your hot rod (Model A's especially), or a magazine you're done reading.
His address is:
Frank Bowers
4413 Augusta Circle
Sherman, TX 75092
Thanks to all!
I got on the internet, and found a hospital where the doctors were on the leading edge of brain tumor surgical techniques. A month later Dad underwent a second operation at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This time, the doctor there operated on Dad with technique that they had just begun using, and he was able to remove 98% of the tumor. The doctors there were optimistic about Pop's chances, but never in our wildest dreams did we expect that he would survive as long as he has.
At the time Dad underwent surgery, life expectancies for his type of tumor were limited to a few years at best. The doctors at M.D. Anderson are still treating him, and have given him the nickname "Miracle Man." Although his mobility and ability to communicate are limited because of the effects of the radiation therapy (an effect on the brain called Radiation Dementia that was unknown at the time) he is still alive and kicking. For a few years he was able to do pretty much anything he wanted (within limits) and really enjoyed being my pit help at the races, or scouring the local swap meets. Unfortunately, he's gotten weaker over the years and can't get out like he used to.
Although he can't drive and must use a walker or wheelchair to get around, he still likes to get out with me and "help" work on bikes or cars when he's up to it. Sometimes we just go ride around in the country and look for old cars. For a few years we would scour the backwoods of Oklahoma looking for the place where the guy he sold his first car (a Model A coupe with a 283/3 speed) to lived. Those days are few and far between anymore because of his weakness, and we never did find it.
Dad's 65th birthday is coming up on February 12th, and the 10th anniversary of his surgery is the 10th. My mom has put out an email to all her contacts, and sent word to all Dad's friends in the hope that he will get 65 birthday cards by his birthday. Dad really loves it when I bring him car, bike, or 4WD magazines, and I though I'd ask for help making his 65th B-day something extra special. If you want to participate, send him a card, a pic of your hot rod (Model A's especially), or a magazine you're done reading.
His address is:
Frank Bowers
4413 Augusta Circle
Sherman, TX 75092
Thanks to all!
